I Guess That’s All That Matters
This is EAA week. For those of you not in Oshkosh, these three initials stand for experimental aircraft association. Pilots and air enthusiasts from all over the world fly or drive into Oshkosh for a week of museums, air shows, and connecting with others who share the same passions. That would not be me. Many of you know my story. Or parts of it. A five-car pileup, blunt force trauma, a hole in my brain, concussion from the whiplash, moderate frontal and temporal brain damage, and a level-ten migraine. I’ve had a headache every day since. My Hawaii doctor suggested that an emotional support dog would make a big difference. I told him no. A few months passed, and he brought it up a second time during an appointment. Again I refused. After eighteen months the struggle became too much, and I put in my two-week notice. Without my income, [...]
The Aloha Bottle
I used to be a concierge with Expedia at the Aston Waikiki Beach. One of the perks of the jobs, and there were lots, was being invited to concierge events like breakfast at Duke's. One time they gave us each a milk bottle filled with their homemade granola. There was also a buffet, but the granola and yogurt were my favorite. Packing away a lifetime of memories when you are going from Hawaii to Wisconsin was hard. I left far more than I could ever have afforded to bring. And then the movers from hell decided that losing, breaking, and stealing our items was a thing. My two bottles survived! So I go to Costco and buy my coffee creamer and pour it into my bottle. And every morning I use my bottle and I see the Duke's logo. Some days I tear up for all I lost in that [...]
Tracking Happiness
Good morning, I was asked to share my story on a website called Tracking Happiness. When I am asked to write this part of my story it's still hard. When I think of how close I came to not being here it takes my breath away. If my story can help one person I will share it. Many of you know my story, some of you don't. Please feel free to share it with others. You can find the interview at Tracking Happiness
No Gardening Mistakes
We have this neighbor who doesn't weed. At least he mows. Sort of. For a few years I called the management company and asked nicely if they could do something about the burdock and dames [...]
Rain
When I was growing up I loved when it rained. Rain meant no banishment to the outdoors in the ridiculously hot summers to play baseball on the dirt. I wasn't very good and I'm not [...]
Up on the Roof
When I was a kid in Kansas summers were hot. And humid. And there never seemed to be a breeze. I shared a room with my three sisters. The ceilings were sloped and we had [...]